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If it were physically impossible, it couldn't happen. Hence, impossible.
Originally, magic was something that invoked evil or false supernatural powers, although today the word is also used of acts produced by sleight of hand and similar human cleverness.
Originally, magic was something that invoked evil or false supernatural powers, although today the word is also used of acts produced by sleight of hand and similar human cleverness.
Magic differs from a [[miracle]], which is a physically impossible act perpetrated by [[God]] (or, in the [[Catholic]] tradition, by a [[saint]] aided by God). Perpetrators of magic are called varyingly ''magicians'', ''[[mage]]s'', ''[[sorcerer]]s'', ''[[witch]]es'', ''hexers'', ''[[shaman]]s'', ''witch doctors'', or ''[[wizard_(occult)|wizard]]s''.
Magic differs from a [[miracle]], which is a normally physically impossible act perpetrated by [[God]] (or, in the [[Catholic]] tradition, by a [[saint]] aided by God). Perpetrators of magic are called varyingly ''magicians'', ''[[mage]]s'', ''[[sorcerer]]s'', ''[[witch]]es'', ''hexers'', ''[[shaman]]s'', ''witch doctors'', or ''[[wizard_(occult)|wizard]]s''.
Common uses of magic have included spells to gain influence over government officials, to obtain the love of an unwilling person, to win legal cases, and to prevail in cases of uncertainty, for example in horse-racing or other forms of gambling. Rituals which attempt in general to harm another person of a protected or superior social status have also been a common form of magic. Magic has also been frequently used by businessmen to divert trade and customers away from their rivals.
Common uses of magic have included spells to gain influence over government officials, to obtain the love of an unwilling person, to win legal cases, and to prevail in cases of uncertainty, for example in horse-racing or other forms of gambling. Rituals which attempt in general to harm another person of a protected or superior social status have also been a common form of magic. Magic has also been frequently used by businessmen to divert trade and customers away from their rivals.